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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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SHARON, 



MASSACHUSETTS 



be ^eal|;bie§t ^gwd 



IN 



NEW EN&LANB. 



DECEMBER, 1887. 






P^ICE SIX CEI^TS. 



Copyri^rht, 1887. by W. B. WiCKES. 



HARON, 



MASSACHUSETTS, 



TME HEALTHIEST TOWN 



-IN- 



NEW ENGLAND. 



By W. B. WICKES. 



,^ 5 1888 sS 



SHARON. DECEMBER: 

rUlNTKI) AT T[IE OFFICE OF THE "SHARON ADVOCATB. 

1887. 



'T 



BESCMIPTION 



Shabon, Norfolk Comity, Massachusetts, oflcrs great inducemeTits to 
the farmer, the poultry keeper, the gardener, the mainifactiircr and the 
invalid, as also to those seeking a quiet, pleasant home. Its attractions 
as a suburban residence, especially to those doing business in Boston, 
Providence and neighboring towns and cities, are iine(iualled by any other 
place within tifty miles of Boston, 

This book is intended to make Sharon better known and appreciated, 
and not as a catalogue or advertisement of the property that is for sale or 
to let here. I have a large number of farms for sale, varying in price 
from .$fiOO to $12,000, also houses furnished and unfurnished for sale and 
to let, and various kinds of business for sale. As this work is only issued 
once or twice a year and such property is constantly changing hands, it is 
obviously impossible to catalogue a correct list in this book. Write me 
your wants and I will cheerfully inform you what there is in the market 
here. 



— o- 



->■ PU^E •:• 31^, •:• PEPE6T •:• D^JIIIJJIGE. <• 



Sharon is the most elevated town in eastern Massachusetts, and from 
its situation and the nature of the soil the natural drainage is almost 
perfect. It is at the summit of the watershed of three rivers, and it is a 
singular fact that though a very large town in extent, yet not one drop 
of water luiis into it from any other town, but water inns out of Sharon 



into each of the seven adjoininsf towns. Thus it will be seen that the air 
and the water of Sharon can never be polluted by the drainage of any 
other town. 

The town is from two hundred to five hundred and thirty feet above 
sea level. It is sheltered on the east by the Blue Hills of Milton. The 
soil is gravelly and contains iron and there is a great deal of pine wood 
growing in the town. All of these things with the perfect drainage, tend 
to make the air of Sharon pure and healthy; but in addition to all this, 
some, as yet undiscovered law, causes a large amount of ozone to always 
exist in the air here, making it at all times soft, balmy and extremely 
agreeable. Even the much and justly abused east wind is deprived of its 
harshness here and is no t disagreeable. 

In 1871 the Boston Traveller said: "In a work on local causes of Con- 
sumption by Dr. Bowditch, published in 1852, he speaks of Sharon as 
likely to be free from lung diseases. "The correctness of his opinion is 
now shown by the official records, from which it appears that one-fourth 
of all who have died in tlie town in the last five years were over eighty 
years of age, and more have died from old age than from consumption." 

"In the first four months of this year one-half the deaths in the town 
were from old age, and were of pei'sons over eighty-seven. "It should 
be added that Sharon is a growing town, with twenty per cent, of its 
inhabitants between five and twenty years of age." 

More than fifty years ago. when the Boston & Providence Railroad was 
being built, Maj. McNeil, who was then the most eminent civil engineer 
in this country, spent some time in Sharon. He pul)lished an article call- 
ing attention to the remarkably pure air of Sharon, but at that time the 
influence of climate on health had not received attention, and the matter 
was forgotten until twenty years later, when the late A. D. Bacon, M. 
D., of Sharon, called the attention of other phj'sicians to the subject. 

Dr. :£acon said: "F have never seen contagious or infectious diseases 
become epidemic iiere. I have had cases of small pox, diptheria and 
scarlet fever in their most virulent forms among my patients under cir- 
cumstances whi-re we should suppose they would spread fearfully, but 
those most exposed did not take the disease." He also said: "All dis- 
eases secra to yield more readily to medical treatment here than in any 
other locality with which I am acquainted." 

Careful tests made under the direction of a scientific man, have shown 
more ozone in the air of Sharon than in any other place where tests have 
been made east of tlio Rocky Mountains. 

Ozone exists liere in such quantities as to destroy all disease germs in 
the atmosphere, so tliat no infectious or contagious disease ever has 
become epidemic here, and probably none never will. The New YoY\iMedi- 
cal Tribune says • "Air loaded with putrid or miasmatic exhalations is im- 
mediately purified by contact with ozonized air, and again a development of 
such exhalations cannot Avell tak(^ place in the presence of ozone. The 



action of ozone on such impure air is extremely powerful. According; to 
Sclucnbein, an atmosphere containing only 1-3,240,000 of ozone is capable 
of destroyinij: all noxious matter contained in an equal volume of mias- 
matic air. Where or whenever there is a deficiency of this quantity of 
ozone, there will occur zymotic and contaijious diseases, such as typhoid, 
scarlatina, measles, small pox, miasmatic fevers, yellow fever, etc., as 
well as all sorts of skin diseases." 



^UIJITE^.^ 



The Sharon Water Company supplies the town with an abundance of 
pure water, taken from an immense spring near the head waters of the 
Neponset, the Charles and the Taunton rivers. The spring, from its great 
elevation, is in no danger of ever being contaminated, and there is suf- 
ficient water for fifty thousand people. 

This water is raised by steam [)ower to a standpipe, from which it is 
distributed under sufficient head to not only enter the highest rooms in 
the village, but also to extinguish fires, the town being supplied with well 
equipped and well manned hose companies and a hook and ladder company. 



^ SIp^OI? 3S Jl ^EJIMJ^ ^ESO^T. 



HAY FEVER, CONSUMPTION AND ROSE COLD CURED. 



The pure air of Sharon has already been spoken of. It is of such a pe- 
culiar nature that invalids feel its curative effects at once and I most 
earnestly advise the sick and the convalescent to give it a trial. I can 
give the addresses of people who have been cured by a residence in Shar- 
on, of what was pronounced by the best doctors to be the last stages of 
consumption, and can assure every one afflicted with lung trouble that 
they will be sure to find relief here, if they are not fully cured. 

There have been many cases of Hay Fever and Rose Cold cured here. 



6 

The air of Sharon has been found beneficial for very j^oung children and 
the several charitable institutions in Boston, that have charge of babies, 
send many of their wards here to board. Though these waifs are usually 
orphans who have inherited diseases from one or both of their parents, 
and ai-e necessarily while here fed from a bottle, yet with Sharon air and 
Sharon milk the great majority of them live and thrive. 

Physicians in Boston and in towns nearer Sharon, having seen the ef- 
fects of Sharon aii* on these babies, are beginningto also send the weakly 
children of their wealthy patrons here to board. 

The best physicians all over New England and New York have learned 
the beneficial efiects of Sharon air, anti send their chronic and conval- 
escent patients to me to get them boarded, and though this branch of my 
business is of no pecuniary benefit to me, I am always happy to aid such 
people to get places suited to their requirements and their purses, and 
from my long and varied experience I am often able to make valuable 
suggestions on the subject. 

No pei-sou who is sick should go to any far ofl" land in search of health 
and rest, until they have given Sharon a trial, since here one is not 
necessarily deprived of any comfort, luxury, or medical attendance that 
can be obtained in any city in our land. Remember, the air of Sharon is 
entirely different from that of any other town in the vicinity. Invalids 
will almost always feel its beneficial effects as soon as they arrive here, 
and the trouble and cost of giving it a trial are merely nominal. 

I can give the addresses of doctors of all schools in Boston, New York, 
Newport, Fall River, New Bedford, and many other places, who have had 
patients sick with most of the diseases that fiesh is heir to, who have 
derived benefit from a residence here, but reference to them is hardly 
necessary, since the best of the medical profession throughout the country 
are enthusiastic in their praises of Sharon air. But many times they find 
it hard to convince their jjatients that so simple and easy a change as a 
journey to Sharon will effect their cure. 

Said one of Boston's best physicians not long ago: "If I could make 
my wealthy patients believe in Sharon air as I do, I could fill every house 
in your little town, but they think they ought to go way off somewhere." 
Again we say to all invalids, give Sharon air a trial. It won't cost much 
and may and probably will benefit you, as it has hundreds of others. 

Owners of fancy animals have found that the air of Sharon is as bene- 
ficial to beast as to man, and send their valuable dogs and horses here to 
board. There are several establishments devoted to the care of dogs. In 
1872, when almost every horse throughout the land was sick with the 
epizootic, our horses in Sharon escaped, though used every day, thus 
showing that the ozone in the air here does kill disease germs. In one 
case at that time, ahorse driven into town by a pedler, died of the disease, 
while an expressman's horse in the next stall did not take it, though no 
special precautions were used to prevent it. 



TJIXES •:• 7II?D •:• mmri •:• jiBFTlip. 



Those who would reside where the public aft'airs are carefully managed 
and the public money judiciously spent, and would dodge those towns 
and cities where recklessness and extravajrance prevail, will find in 
Sharon a desirable home. 

The voters of Sharon are liberal in making appropriations for all objects 
that are supported by town taxes, but so carefully and judiciously is the 
money expended that the tax rate is keptl6w on a low valuation. Politics 
never enter into town affairs, the best man being chosen to office without 
regard to political parties. This town was the first one in the state to 
supply free text books to scholars. It supports a High school, though 
not obliged by law to do so, and the schools are all kept forty weeks in a 
year. Tiie schools are partly supported by the income of an invested 
fund, which was given for the purpose many years ago. The town debt 
is small and being rapidly diminished. The schoolhouses are ample for 
the needs of the town and in good repair. There is a very good Town 
Hall, good fire apparatus well housed, and the few town's poor are well 
cared for on a large farm. The appropriations recommended by the dif- 
ferent boards of town otficers, are generally voted without a dissenting 
voice. Yet with all this liberality on the part of the town, the tax rate 
averages only ten dollars on one thousand dollars, and that as has been 
said on a low valuation. 

There is a reasonable hope that even this low tax rate will soon be con- 
siderably reduced. The valuation of the town is but little more than one 
million dollars. Should a few rich people gain a residence here, as they 
talk of doing, the valuation of Sharon would be more than doubled, and 
the tax rate be reduced in the same proportion. 

The following extract from the Sharon Advocate will serve to show 
what manner of a town Sharon is : 

•'This town has neither the uianufact'iries nor the wealth of most of the 
adjoining towns, but in the moral and social standing of its people, and 
in benevolence and public spirit, it will compare favorably with other 
towns. When a law was passed permitting towns to furnish text books 
free to schools, it was just like Sharon to be the first town in tlie State to 
adopt the plan. It was just like Sharon to support a High School, though 
not compelled by law to do so. For thirty years it has been just like 
Sharon to vote all the school money the School Committee asked for, and 
these votes are generally passed unanimously. In other towns and cities 
their appropriations are usually higgled over and cut down. For thirty 
years it has been just like Sharon to vote without question almost every 
cent of money that has been asked for, for every reas()nat)le purpose, and 



8 

it has been just like Sharon to spend that money so judiciously that we 
take good care of our poor, have good roads and as low taxes as anj^town 
in the State. It is just like Sharon to have a fine town hall {it a moderate 
cost; a good Public Library ; to have its lake well stocked with fish; to 
have the telephone and telegraph, and to have railroad accommodations 
unsurpassed by any town of its size within a like distance of Boston. 
More than fifty years ago, a few citizens of Sharon supplied themselves 
with pure water from Sharon Springs, by forcing it up to an elevation of 
one hundred feet, which was something they had never seen accomplished, 
and which wise men told them could never be done. This was just 
like Sharon, and iinlike any town in the vicinity, and now, when the old 
works are inadequate, it is just like Sharon to vote unanimously a liberal 
sum to supply the whole village with pure water. We might mention 
many other commendable things in which Sharon is unlike other towus, 
if our space would permit." 



STORES •:• JI1]D •:• IliJIl^^ETS <. 



Sharon being a farming town with milk farms, market gaz'dens and 
poultry yards, fresh and nice vegetables, poultry, milk and eggs are always 
to be had. Physicians say that milk from cows kept in Sharon is 
healthier than that from cows kept in less healthy towus. This will not 
seem unreasonable to those who know how sensitive the nursing infant is 
to the health of the woman who gives it sustenance. The stores and mar- 
kets of Sharon supply meats, groceries and fruits, equal in quality to the 
best sold in Boston, and the vast woodlands of Sharon supply an abun- 
dance of that fuel to those who would enjoy the healthy luxury of an 
open wood fire. 



^ SOCIETY. 



Though a very rural town, Sharon is so closely connected with Boston 



9 

and Canton as not to be isolated or lonesome, even in winter. The Ma- 
sons, Odd Fellows and Grand Arm}' members meet with-lodges in Canton, 
which is only three miles ott". In fact, the people of the two towns arc 
intimately and pleasantly connected in all tiie relations of life. Socially, 
Sharon is like most well ordered New England villages, somewhat enliv- 
ened however, by the presence of families who have come from neigh- 
boring towns and cities, to find pleasant, healthy homes here. Four 
churches furnish religious instruction. There is a good Public Library, 
frep to all. The Town Hall is used for lectures, concerts, entertainments 
and assemblies, and a late train from Boston every night, summer and 
winter, gives an opportunity to attend lectures, concerts and theatres, in 
that city. The town always votes no license, and no rumshops or disrep- 
utable houses are allowed. 

New comers to the towri are sure of a cordial welcome from those 
already here. It is characteristic of Sharon people to like to see their 
neighbors have a pleasant, enjoyable time. 



^ SCEDE^Y, •!• llVJlh^^ •:• 7II?D •:• DI{I¥ES. •>• 



The scenery, walks and drives of Sharon are unsurpassed, and we 
think unequalled in any other town in eastern Massachusetts. They can 
not be adequately described, but must be seen to be appreciated. Usually 
where the scenery is wild the roads are poor, if not absolutely unsafe. 
It is not so here. The roads are good in all parts of the town. 

In the following drives you are supposed to start from the post-oflice : 
Every one will wish to drive arounil Massapoag pond; from the post-of- 
fice and back it is six miles. Anotiier drive you must take to i^ee Sharon 
is to Moose Hill. The nearest town road is one past the depot, but it is 
very hilly. There is a very romantic road to Moose Hill, but it is not a 
town way. It is through the yard at Sharon station and across the "old 
dam." It is beautifully wooded, nicely shaded and not very rough. To 
return by easier grades, come down the "Moose Hill road" to Main street. 
From the summit of this hill may be seen the residences of one-quarter of 
all the inhabitants of Massachusetts. The following interesting sketch 
of what may be seen from Moose Hill, was prepared for me by E. G. 
Chamberlain, P^sq.. of Auburndale, Mass., who is a member of the Appa- 
lachian Club : 

••Moose Hill is 530 feet above sea level. The tower affords an addition- 



10 

al elevation of 20 feet. The tower is square, the sides facing precisely to 
the four cardinal jjoints. Let us take the views in order from left to 
right. All elevations are reckoned from sea level and all bearings from 
the true meridian. 

"Due north is West Dedham Unitarian Church, six miles distant, quite 
conspicuous on a hill. A little to the right is Arlington Heights, twenty 
miles, and under it the Theological Seminary on Institution Hill in Newton. 
More to the right is Norwood village, Ave miles, and Dedham with its 
Court House dome, nine miles. About N. N. E. is Boston, the State 
House dome bearing N. 2.5° 27- E., 18 miles. Just at its left is the white 
tower of Roxbury standpipe, and between and beyond them is Bunker Hill 
Monument. A trifle to the right is the large village of Hyde Park, ten miles. 
N. E. is the Blue Hill Range, Great Blue at the left being eight miles dis- 
tant and 635 feet high. A little left of it we may get a glimpse of tide 
water near Winthrop, while nearer we look down on the meadows of Ne- 
ponset River. Next to Great Blue is Hancock Hill, then Hillside Street 
Gap, Bugbee Hill and the peak of Chickataubut, 518 feet high, under 
whose left flank is Bear Hill, hardly separable. In line with Chickatau- 
but is Canton Corner Church, five and one-half miles. A little to the 
right is Canton Village, four miles, and nearly over its left hand steeple 
is Strawberry Hill, twenty-one miles, crowned by a standpipe. To the 
left of this and nearer, is the tower on Penn's Hill (in Braintree?). To 
the right of the right hand Canton steeple is the triple-towered Atlantic 
House at Nautasket, twenty-one miles. Between Strawberry Hill and the 
Atlantic House may be seen Massachusetts Bay, the sea horizon line being 
30 1-2 miles distant. A little to the right, nine miles off, are the three tall 
spires of Randolph, about three degrees apart, the left hand one bearing 
E. N. E. Due E. is Sharon, two miles, and over it the large village of 
Stoughtou, six miles. Considerably to the right, ten miles off, is Brock- 
ton. Just right of its tallest spire is the Standish Monument on Captain's 
Hill, in Duxbury. 28 1-2 miles. Tlie large pond, two miles S. E., is Mas- 
sapoag. Nearly over its left end is East Bridgewater, fifteen miles. 
About over its centre is Bridgewater, fifteen miles, and over its right end 
Middleboro, twenty-two miles. Due South (S. 0*^ 20- W.) is Great Mead- 
ow Hill in Rehoboth, seventeen miles, crowned by a group of trees. 
Nearly under its right base is Mansfield, seven miles. About S. S. W. 
are the two spires ofFoxboro, 4 1-2 miles. Half way between Great 
Meadow and J'oxboro, appears a very small sharp peak. Oak Hill, in At- 
tleboro, fifteen miles, and nearer at its right, the village of East Attle- 
boro. Turning nearly to W. S. W. we see, three miles off. South Walpole 
with its short white steeple. Nearly over its left is the summit of Woon- 
socket Hill in Rhode Island, twenty miles. To the right of W. S. W. is 
the tall cupola of Dean Academy in Franklin, with steeples at its right. 

"Turning nearly to W. N. W. we see the low-pointed ridge of Asnybum- 
skit Hill, in Paxton, 1407 feet, thirty-seven miles; and more toward N. 



11 

W. the very conspicuous Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, of the same 
ranye, 2018 feet, fort3'-three miles, is seen over Walpole village, 2 1-2 
miles oft". Midway between Asnybumskit and Wacliusett is seen Rice 
Hill in Kutland. forty-one miles, a little left of wiiich are three steeples, 
nearly in line, one above the other, viz : Ilopkinton. seventeen miles, 
Shrewsbury, twenty-eight miles and Kutland, forty-two miles. Somewhat 
to tlie riijht of "Wachusett is the low ridge of Monoosnook Hill in Leom- 
inster, forty-one miles, seen over Mcdfleld village f! 1-2 miles oft'. Still to 
the right is Grand Monadnock Mountain, in Jaffrey, N. H., sixty-eight 
miles, ;^170 feet high, a sharp peak falling off very gradually to the right. 
Between Monoosnook and Monadnock. just N. W., is Sherborn Cliurch, 
eleven miles. Against the right flank of Monadnock is the round knob of 
Watatick Mountain, in Ashburnham, Mass., 1847 feet, fifty-two miles, a 
peak of the Wachusett Range. This range we follow to the right of New 
Hampshire, by Mt. Kidder in New Ipswich, Spoft'ord and Temple Moun- 
tains in Temple, and the noticeable twin sununits of Pack Monadnock, 
near Peterboro'. The latter are about 2280 feet high and sixtj'-two miles 
distant. Between Watatick and Kidder, the near round liill, nineteen 
miles off, is Nobscot, in Framingliam. G02 feet. 

"To the right of the Pack Monadnocks, eight miles off, is a group of 
hills in Dover, through a gap in which we get a glimpse of Lyndeboro' 
Pinnacle, sixty-two miles off. Turning far toward the North we see 
Prospect Hill in Waltham, eighteen miles, with little Prospect on its left 
tlank, and further left the A'illage of Lincoln, twenty-one miles. I have 
identified some prominent buildings in about fifty villages, some of them 
requiring the telescope. Many other villages have been observed but not 
yet fully identified. The spire at the right of Foxboro may prove to be 
in Pawtucket, R. I. The calculated bearing of Brown University at Provi- 
dence, 22 1-2 miles, places it midway between the Foxljoro steeples, but I 
have never been favored with a view of it. It is probably not visible." 

The air on the hill is very invigorating, and persons with weak lungs 
enjoy it much. Invalids, by carrying a lunch and spending some hours 
on the hill, are often benefitted. I regret there is no boarding place there. 
Perliaps some time there will be a sanitarium or hotel on the hill. It 
wouhl be well patronized. 

On your return, on Moose Hill Street you will pass the barn of Henry 
L. de Bussigny, where are kept in summer some of the finest saddle horses 
in the country. His stable; is worthy of a visit from all lovers of fine bred 
liorses. 

The poultry house tliat you pass on returning ts over eigiit hundred 
feet long, and has a wing, not in sight of the road, four iiundred and 
eighty feet long. It was intended for ten thousand fowl. 

For a short drive, take Main street to Foxboro, turn the first left through 
■'Gun House Lane" then next left home. In "Gun House Lane" former- 
ly stood the gun house in which was stored the cannon to protect the 



12 

iuha1>itants from their enemies. Elm Lawn, near tlie corner of the lane, 
was formerly the Randall homestead, and here died not many years ago 
"Boston Randall," a very aged negro, and probably the last slave owned 
in Massachusetts. He was brought from Africa and kept as a body ser- 
vant, until he finally became a family pet. He refused his freedom and 
was kindly cared for by the family while he lived. He was buried, as was 
his mastei''s family, in the Chestnut Tree cemetery. 

Another short, pleasant drive is to the town farm ; you will save open- 
ing gates if you go past Sharon depot and take second right hand road. 

For a very romantic drive, take Main street and Walpole street to Mr. 
Benjamin Rhoades' house, turn sharp to the left and follow County street, 
until it comes to Main street, near Paradise cranl)err3' meadow. County 
street is full of sharp pitclies, and n^^t much travelled, but it is decidedly 
wild and has a history. It is one of the oldest roads in Massachusetts, 
having been called "the path to Bristol." It was over this road Madam 
Knight rode on the first night of her famous journey to New York, and 
the "Wayman's Ordinary," where she spent the lirst night, stood near 
where the cranberry store-house now stands. Here Ebenezer Billings is 
supposed to have built his tavern about 16.58, many years before there 
was a white person in what is now Canton. 

For a variety of ferns, drive through the Pigeon Swamp road. Maiden 
hair ferns grow here. You will have a romantic drive to go past Leon- 
ard's mill, turning sharp to the left at the cemetery and taking the first 
right and the next right. Near the house v/f J. M. BuUard, on this road, 
you get a splendid view and an assortment of ferns. 

Drive to Wolomolpoag Pond, and turn to the left and the next left 
home. If you care for places of historic interest, when on this drive take 
the right at Mrs. T. E. Clark's and go to Clapp's saw mill. Here was the 
foundry, where, under General Gridley, was cast the first cannon ever 
made in the country. 

Not far from Mrs. Clark's, King Phillip and his wariuors camped tlie 
night they liurned Medfield, in 167G. They passed the "Wayman's Ordin- 
ary" just at dusk, but spared it because one of the chiefs said, "Billings 
is Indians' friend." 

Itis six miles to Foxboro and six to South Walpole. On the South 
Walpole road, Mr. Lyman Plympton has a cultivated cranberry bog and a 
cultivated white pine grove, both equal, if not superior, to any others in 
the State. To Walpole it is five miles, six to Norwood and three to Can- 
ton. At Canton go and see the large, solid stone viaduct, by which the 
railroad crosses the highway and Ncponset River. It used to be consid- 
ered one of the wonders of the age. Also call and see a model of the fa- 
mous Strasburg clock at Havves' jewelry store. It was made by Mr. 
Hawes and he kindly shows it to all who call 

To Dedham it is ten miles. Here on East street is the old Fairbanks 
house, which has b«en occupied l>y the same family for two hundred and 



13 

forty years. For twenty-live cents Miss Fairbanks will show you many 
curious relics and heirlooms of the family. 

To Stoughton it is six miles and to Nortli Easton it is seven. At the 
latter the Unitarian church, the other public buildings, and the magnificent 
grounds of F. L. Ames, which are open to the public, are worthy of avis- 
it. To Easton Furnace, seven miles, is a pleasant drive, and a little off 
the road in East Mansfield are Austin's poultry grounds. Here at times 
may be seen as many as five thousand geese fattening for the market, as 
well as immense quantities of hens, ducks and turkeys. Mr. Austin some- 
times feeds sixty bushels of grain a day to his fowl. To East Foxboro 
is six miles. Much of the way this road runs beside the railroad track. 

Lovers of wild flowers and ferns will find a great variety here. Those 
who delight to see farming operations will be interested in the market 
gardens and greenhouses on Sharon plain and the cranberry meadows 
farther west. The woods and ponds of Sharon furnish game for the 
hunter and the numerous ponds and brooks furnish fish for the angler and 
the ponds also turnish ample opportunities for boating and bathing. Be- 
sides numerous mill ponds in Sharon, there are two beautiful sheets of 
water, called W'oloraolpoag and Massapoag. Though only one mile apart 
they are at the head of difl'erent rivers; one fiows to the west and the 
other to the east. Massapoag contains four hundred and sixty acres of 
water and is three hundred feet above sea level. There is a drive com- 
pletely around it. Formerly the water flowed from this pond into both 
the Taunton and the Neponset rivers. The early settlers used to liken it 
to a leaky barrel, from which the water flowed in all directions. 

Being at the summit of both rivers it was the boundary between the 
lands of the Narragansett and the Massachusetts Indians, while Wolo- 
molpoag flowed into the Taunton and belonged exclusively to King Phil- 
lip's tribe. The name Wolomolpoag is Indian and signified pleasant 
water, or sweet water, and it was most truthfully named, being a beauti- 
ful sheet of water. 



I5OIISES, •:• FJI^IIiS •:• ^I^D •:• mOODLJU^D. 



Within a reasonable walking distance of Sharon station are hundreds 
of acres of eligible building sites, which can be purchased at reasonable 
prices, and which must surely rise in value. Real estate here has never 



14 

been boomed neither has it ever been depressed, and sales under fore- 
closure of mortgage are almost unknown here. 

Since the introduction of water in 1885, there has been a marked growth 
of the village and a gradual rise of improved property, which I have rea- 
son to believe will continue. Within a half hour's drive of the two rail- 
road stations in Sharon, there are some farms to sell, much below their 
value, which if intelligently managed by one able and willing to work, 
would be sure to pay a handsome income. Farming in Sharon can be 
made unusually profitable, as the summer people furnish a new market 
for produce and the numerous manufacturing towns and cities in the vi- 
cinity take all the surplus at renunierative prices. 

There are some large tracts of woodlands and unimproved lands for 
.sale at great bargains and some of them are certain to become more val- 
uable soon. Just now I have two or three estates, which I am forbidden 
to advertise, but which must be sold in the spring of 1888, for spot cash, 
^ven if sold at a sacrifice. 

I have farms of all sizes and prices for sale, houses for sale and houses 
to let furnished and unfurnished. I also have various kinds of business 
for sale. As this book is only published once, or at the most twice a 
year, and as property in my hands is constantly changing, it is useless to 
catalogue it in this work and I do not attempt it, but if those in want of 
a house, a farm or any business will write and describe their wants, I 
will try to suit them. As I have lived in Sharon more than thirty years, 
the last eighteen of which has been devoted to the buying and selling of 
real estate on commission, and to making the town better known, I know- 
all the property that is in the market and the custonKn-s, and am general- 
enabled to serve my patrons in a satisfactory manner. In the spring I 
have a large variety of furnished houses to rent, the prices varying from 
^150 or $200 to !i;l, 000 for the season. I have also a few unfurnished 
houses and tenements to let, but the supply is limited, an<l does not equal 
the demand. 

There is a large and sure opening in Sharon for hotels and boarding 
places, the demand being almost unlimited and far exceeding the supply. 
Persons of some means, who are adapted to the business, can find here 
an excellent opening. There is also a good opening for a good country 
tavern, where one can get entertainment for man "r beast for one meal 
or a month. Such a house, well kept, would receive a liberal patronage. 

I am always pleased to show the town and the property in the market 
without expense to those seeking a home, whether they become custom- 
ers or not. It is no trouble to show the propert}-^ there is in the market. 
My carriage is at the Sharon station every pleasant day except Saturdays, 
on arrival of the 9.25 A. M. and tne 2 P. M. trains from Boston. If you 
wish to come an}^ other day or on any other train please notify me by 
mail, telegraph or teleplione. I have a telephone in my house and par- 
ties can always talk direct with me from any telephone in Boston or on 



15 

any of the suburban lines. My name and number will be found in the 
catalogue, which each telephouo subscriber in Boston or any suburban 
town has. 



> ^OTEIiS •:• JIIJD •:• BOJI^DIIJS •:• ROUSES. •<• 



There is a large summer hotel by the shore of Massapoag, called the 
Massapoag Lake House, which will accommodate about one hundred and 
forty guests. It is kept by A. P. "oyce & Co. Elm Lawn, Geo. H. Litch- 
field, proprietor, is a farm boarding house on the west shore of Massa- 
poag. He has also four cottages of four rooms each, which are let in 
connection with the house. He can accommodate some forty. The Shar- 
on, Mrs. A. B. Lewis, proprietor, also accommodates about forty. All 
these houses set good tables and have good accommodations for horses. 
There are also a number of houses where from two to a dozen boarders 
are taken at prices varying from live to ten or twelve dollars a week, 
but the supply is far short of the demand and it is well to apply early for 
board. 

I intend to keep thoroughly posted in regard to those who have vacant 
rooms, their location, prices, etc., and am always happy to give informa- 
tion and make suggestions to those seeking board, and am often enabled 
to save them time, trouble and money. If those seeking board will write 
enclosing stamp, I will cheerfully furnish them any desired information. 
Please state what you require, how many rooms, whether there are chil- 
dren and what price you expect to pay. "Reasonable prices," if from a 
stranger, conveys no information to me, since thirty dollars a week from 
some of my patrons would be reasonable and others And it hard to pay 
live dollars. Generally good board cannot be obtained for less than sev- 
en dollars a week. This branch of my business is of no pecuniary profit 
to me, but it is my desire and for my interest to see people located in Shar- 
on, to their own satisfaction. Good carriages, with careful drivers who 
know the boaixling places that have vacant rooms, will be furnished on 
application to me, at not to exceed one dollar an hour. Come by the J. 25 
A. M. or 2 P. M. trains from Boston, any day but Saturday. If on Sat^ 
urday, by the 2 P. M. train; if coming on any other train, give previous 
notice by mail, telegraph or teleplione and my cjirriage will be at the sta- 
tion. No charge for information or suggestions. 



16 

hOm •:• TJIXES. 



The following is a copy of a circular issued by Joel P. Hewins, Esq., 
Treasurer of Sharon : — 

Sharon, Mass., 1885. 

Sir- — 
Many persons who pay taxes on a large amount of personal property 
in cities where the rate of taxation is high, are proposing to change their 
residence to some place where the burden of taxation is lighter. The at- 
tention of such is respectfully called to a few facts about Sharon. The 
present valuation of the town is about .$1,000,000, and the tax rate for all 
purposes is $9.40 on $1,000. Several wealthy people talk of changing 
their residence to Sharon the coming season, and should enough do so to 
increase the valuation another million, — and there is reason to hope such 
will be the case, — the tax rate will not exceed .$5.00 on $1,000. If this 
rate is once established enough more will no doubt be added from year to 
year to make the tax rate of Sharon lower than it is in any other 

TOWN OR CITY in THE StaTE. 

The present low tax rate has not been reached by niggardly appropri- 
ations, but by careful management and judicious expenditures of the 
money raised. There is no probability that the expenses of the town will 
be much increased for some time to come, as the town hall, school-hous- 
es and other public buildings are all new or in good repair, and amply 
sufficient for the needs of the town ; the town debt is small and is being 
rapidly extinguished under the present rate of taxation ; the roads are in 
good repair, and there is an invested fund, the income of which is for 
the support of schools. 

Sharon is very pleasantly situated on the Boston & Providence Rail- 
road, 350 feet above tide water on the highest land between the two cit- 
ies. It is thirty-flve minutes' ride from Boston, from which there are 
nine trains a day, including a late train for lectures and theatres, which 
with the telegraph and telephone, and five mails a day give ample com- 
munication with all the world. Sharon has long been celebrated for its 
fine drives, lakes, streams, pine groves and healthy air. Of late years it 
has become quite a resort for invalids and convalescents, eminent physi- 
cians having recommended it to their patients and pronounced it the 
Healthiest Town in the State. Chemical tests of the atmosphere have 
found in it a larger amount ot ozone than has ever been found at any oth- 
er place east of the Rocky Mountains, and to this fact is attributed the 
healthy and curative eflects of the air of Sharon. 

The markets of the town supply all that is needed in the line of gro- 
ceries and provisions. There are four churches, yearly schools, and a 



17 

well selected public library. In short, Sharon, from its accessibility to 
Boston and Providence, its churches, schools, public library, scenery, 
healthy air and Low Taxes, has advantages as a suburban residence une- 
qualled by any locality near Boston. 

A pamphlet describing Sharon more fully will be sent on application. 

Persons wishing further information will be waited upon at their 
residence or place of business if desired. 

Address the TOWN TREASURER, Siiauon, Mass. 



^ ^001 TO ^¥I]{([>^ S^JI^OR. 



Sharon is on the Boston & Providence Railroad, seventeen miles south- 
west of Boston common. There are eleven trains from Boston each day, 
including a theatre train every night. Time of trains from Boston, thir- 
ty-five to forty minutes. 

This road is one of the oldest, best equipped and most carefully man- 
aged roads in the country. It crosses no drawbridge, the trains are 
almost invariably on time and have plenty of cars, so each passenger can 
have a seat. It is double tracked with steel rails, its entire length. 

Its Boston station on Columbus Avenue and Park Square is convenient 
and comfortable, and architecturally, the most beautiful in the United 
States. It is said by those who have travelled extensively, to be unequal- 
led in the world, when convenience, comfort, looks and surroundings are 
taken into account. Single fares from Boston to Sharon, forty cents; 
five tickets, one dollar and seventy-five cents, or thirty-five cents eacli. 
Season tickets for three months, twenty-three dollars, or about fourteen 
cents a trip. Single fare from Sharon to Providence, sixty cents. Fare 
to New York by Stonington line, .$2.85. 

Passengers from New York can reach Sharon by the all rail Shore line 
or by the Stonington Steamboat line. To drive from Boston to Sharon 
take Brush Hill turnpike and come via Cant )n. From Jamaica Plain come 
via Dedliam and Norwood. From New Bedford, Taunton and Fall Riv- 
er, (hive via Easton Furnace, or come by rail, via Mansfield. 

Siiaron has three mails a day to and from Boston, and two to and from 
Providence. The Western Union Telegraph Company have an office in 



IS 

the railroad station, and the New England telephone wires enable us to 
talk with all the country. 

Communication can be had direct with my residence in Sharon, from 
any telephone In Boston or any of the surrounding towns. 



^ BOSTOQ ^ P^OYIDEIJSE •:• I{}IIIi^O:^D. <- 



This table is liable to changes, though it is the policy of this road 
never to take ofl' trains. 

TRAINS LEAVE. 

Sharon for Boston, 7.00, 7.43, 8.03, 9.23, 11.53, a. m. ; 3.33, 5.20, 7.20, 
10.30, p. M. Due in Boston, 7.40, 8.25, 8.50, 10 a. m. ; 12.30, 4.05, 
5.55, 8.00, 11.05, p. M. 

Boston for Sharon, C.35. 8.00, 8.20, 9.25, 10.30, a. m. ; 2.00, 4.00, 5.30, 
5.50, 8.30, 11.05, p. M. Due in Sharon, and leave Sharon for Mans- 
field, Attleboro, Pawtucket and Providence, 7.20,8.36, 9.05, 10.00, 
11.15, a. m. :2.35, 4.36. 6.05, 6.25, 9.05, P. 'm. 11.44 p. u. to Mansfield 
only. 

Sharon toRoxbury, 7.43, 8.03, 11.53, a. m. ; 5.20, p. m. 

Sharon to Jamaica Plain, 7.43, 11.53, a. m. ; 5.20, p. ji. 

Sharon to Hyde Park, 7.00, 7.43, 8.06. 8.23, 11.53, a. m. ; 5.20 p. m. 

Sharon to Readville 7.43, 8.03, 11.53. a. m. ; 5.20, p. M. 

Sharon to Canton Junction same as to Boston. 

Sharon to New York, 10.00, a. m. Due in New York, 4.50, p. m. 

Grand Central Depot, 42d street. New York, for Sharon 8.00, a. m. ; 
Due in Sharon 3.33, a. m. 

A Sunday train leaves Providence for Boston, 8.00, a. m., stopping at Paw- 
tucket, Attleboro, Mansfield, Sharon (9.05) Canton Junction and Hyde Park 



19 

TO LET, 



A FTER MAY, 1888, house of 12 rooms, .i^as, hot 
-^^ and cold water, bath room, furnace heat, open 
fires, and all modern improvements, perfect drainage. 
Will be furnished if desired. 



TT'JUSE of 8 rooms, fully furnished, has furnace, 
'- *- Sharon water and bath room, is pleasantly situat- 
ed near a pine grove. Price for season of 1888, $350. 



TTOUSE of 10 rooms, near pine grove, has furnace, 
-^•* and Sharon water. Will be let on a long or 
short lease, with or without furniture. 



HOUSE of 10 large rooms, hot and cold water, 



bath room and shade 



'OR the season, three houses by the lake. 



T.T OUSES, furnished and unfurnisihed in all parts 
-*- ^ of the town, for the summer oj- by the year. 



W. B. WICKES, Sharon. 



20 

FOR SALE. 



A N 80 ACKE FARM. Land level, easily worked 
■^-^ and fj'ee from stones, plenty of wood, large, 
two-story, well-kept sqnare house, nice lai'ge barn. 
This is one of the prettiest places in T^orfolk Connty 
for a gentleman's country seat or is a productive 
farm for a laboi-ing man. It belongs to two ladies who 
can not work it and will sell vei'y low and on easy 
terms. Price, $4000. 



Tj^OURTEEN acres ot woodland, directly on the 
-■- line of the railroad, high, dry, suitable lor build- 
ing land and will some day be valuable. Price, $700. 



A GOUD 75 acre faim, j^lenty of wood, some 
■^^^ fruit, good barn, fair two-story house, one of 
the best cranbeiry meadows in town. Price |52500, 
which is but little more than the value of the mead- 
ow. 



A NICE little iarm, will keep horse, cow and hens, 
-^-^ nice cottage house, has piazza and blinds, good 
barn, poultry yards and houses, plenty of fruit, wood 
enough lor all fires, on main road, near school and in 
a good neighborhood. Price, $1700. 



"DUIi.DmG LOTS in all parts of the town. 



W. B. WICKES, Sharon. 



21 

FOR SALE. 



TX Sharon village, a gentleman's ])lace, nice house 
^ of ten rooms beside bath room and lanndi'y with 
set tubs, gas and ad eonveiiienecs, shade and fruit 
trees, lawn, graded walks, fine barn fitted u]) ANith 
box stalls, 45.000 feet of land, more land can Ije had 
if desired. Pi-iee, $(5r>00. 



1V'"EAK depot, (m higli land, 20,000 feet of land, the 
■^^ best unoccupied lot in the village. Pi'ice foar 
cents a foot. 



A NEAT cottage house, painted and blinded, a 
^^^ small stable and (50, 000 feet of land stocked with 
fruit trees, will be sold lor |2500. It is in the vil- 
lage and is a vei-y neat, pretty place. 



B 



Y the lake, a veiy fine modei'n house, fitted foi- a 
gentleman's residence. AVill sell five, ten or fif- 



teen acres of land with it. 



N the village, a splendid house fitted with all mod- 
ern improvemenis, including gas. ]!20,(J00 feet 
of land. This i)lace commands a splendid view, is 
perfect in every respect and the best ])lace ever of- 
fered for sale in Sharon centre. Let me show it to you. 



W. B. WICKES, Sharon. 



22 

FOR SALE. 



^O settle an estate, a fine grass and vegetable farm of 40 
-*- acres, neat cottage house, fair barn and splendid shade. 
Price, $2000, and it ought to brins $3000. 



"1V"KAR the above and belonging to the same estate isanoth- 
^^ er farm about the same size. It ought to bring $3000, 
but will be sold for less. 

TN the village, a house of 13 rooms, piazza, blinds, shade, 
-*- sets high and has perfect drainage, 50, 000 feet of good land 
and plenty of apples and pears. Price, 3500. 

TN the village, a house of nine rooms, furnace heat, 20,000 
-*- feet of land. Price, $3000. 



TN the village, a house of fitteen rooms, stable and four 
-^ acres of land. Price $6000. 

T^OR $2200 T will sell on easy terms of payment an extra 
-*- good 60 acre farm, plenty of wood and fruit, buildings 
only fair. This place must be sold and if price is too high, 
give me what you like for it. 

i^N Moose Hill I have a 60 acre farm to sell. It is 500 feet 
^-^ above sea level and commands a splendid view, air and 
water are pure, is an old barn but no house on the place, the 
owner is in Arizona and I will sell very cheap. 

^^N Moose Hill, a 60 acre farm in fine order, a good-sized, 
^^ fair house and two barns. Will sell for what one barn 
cost and it is entirely new. Come and see it. 

W. B. WIOKES, Sharon. 



23 

;rOR SALE.: 



/^N Moose Hill, a 30 acre farm with fair buildings. Will 



sell cheap. 



ON Moose Hill, a good 60 acre farm, splendid view. Moose 
Hill air is the purest in the wliole world. The buildings 
on this farm are old and out of repair. The place must be 
sold to settle an estate. Look at it. 

FOR !|350 I will sell a small hou-ie on Moose Hill and two 
and one-half acres of land. The house is not a palace. 

A FARM with a house, barn, saw mill and a never-failing 
stream of water. It is very lonesome but pleasant and 
the owner will sell low or exchange with other property, as he 
has business in Boston. 

Apply to W. B. WICKES, Sharon. 
Telephone Connections. 

^^\ LAUNDRY. ^$4r 



Agent for THE BEST LAUNDRY in Roxbury. 

WILL CALL FOR AND DELIVER BUNDLES. 
[53^ Leave orders at Residence on Pond Street. 



24 



SHEPARD CARPENTER 

will deliver pure Sharon ice in any qnantity desired. 
None bnt careful drivei's employed. 



MILK ! MILK ! 

MOUSE HILL MILK ! 



I'ure inilk Iroin my farm on ihe iiighhinds of Moose flill, <le- 
liv^red in auy desired quantity. Li-ave oider with Mr. Wickrs or 
send a postal cnrd to 

FRED A. WHITE. 

EDWAPtO HAMPTON, 

Barber and Hair Dresser. 



Shaving, Shampooing and Hair Cutting 

and all the usual tlulics of a barber 

Performed in a very Skillful and Artistic Manner. 
SHOP OVER THE BLUE STORE, 

Maple Avenue, .... JSharon, Mass. 



2.1 

OLIVER IT. DERRY. 



- BLACKSMITHING - 

In nil its hninclies, including 

H0RSE-8H0EINI} M CARRIAGE WORK. 

ALSO 

WHEELW£IiMT WOEK 

and all kinds of ciiniage niaking and repairing attended to 
pr()iii|>ll\ and t-killfnli}-. 

Do you want a farm to get a living on ? 
Do you want a larni for a plaything ? 
Do you want a cranberry meadow ? 
Do you want a poultry yard ? 
Do you want a wood lot ? 
Do you want a lot of vacant land ? 
Do you want a house lor a home ? 
Do you want a house to let as an investment ? 
Do you want to hire a house ? 
Do you want to sell a house or let one ? 
Do you want to sell a farm or some land ? 
Do you want a boarding [)la(.'e ? 
Do you want to take boarders ? 
Do you want to sell any kind of business ? 
Doyou want to go intoanykind of business or invest any monev? 
In short, do you wish to buy, sell or hire anything in Sharon 
or vicinity or want to get a home in Sharon ? 

Apply to W. B. WICKES, Sharon. 

Telephone Connections. 



26 



CHARLES E. HALL, 
CARRIAGE, Sl«.\ and H018E PAIIVTGR. 

^^ All work performed aecording to contract. 
Shop on Mam Street Sharon, Mass. 



SMHiMsm H. Moirs'B 4 Soin^ 






'it 




BUILDING OPEN FIREPLACES A SPECIALTY. 

1^ BOATS TO LET. ,^3 

Residence by the Shore of Lake Massapoao;, Sharon, Mass. 



H 



LEONARD, 



DEALER IN 



«^ 



GOAL, to 



COAL OF ALL KINDS 

SUPPLIED PROMPTLY 

In large or small quantities. Residence & office, 
C(»r. Pond St. and Maple Avenue, - - Sharon, Mass. 



27 

C. E. HOWARD, 



-DEALER IN- 



WC)S)ID: 



Wood Sawed and Split or in the Stick, 

Or SawL'd ANY LP:NaTlI DESIIIKD a-id DKLIVERKD in 
SHARON OR VICINITY. 

Oak, Sawed and Split, . . $B.OO per cord. 

Pine, '* " ... 5.75 

Small Cut, .... 3.25 

Chestnut, Sawed and Split, . . 5.00 " 

Large Wood, for Fireplaces, etc. Wood Delivert'd on C:u\s foi 

other places. 
C. K. HOWARD, Residence, 8o. Sharou. 
I'. 0. Address, East Foxboro, Mass. 

S. A.STONK 



^^ ^©K©M1T™ 



SHARON, MASS. 



Carriage Work and Jobbing 

IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. 



Particular Attention paid to Horse-shoeing. 



28 

B. GANNETT 



POND STREET STABLE, 



DoulDle and Single Carriages 

With or without Drivers, furnished at sliort notice. Also 

HACKS, BARGES & PARTY WAGONS 



The Foreman of this Stable is a temperate, experienced man, who will 
give the best of care to 

Boarding Horses. 



CARRIAGES SENT TO ANY TRAIN 

When ordered by Mail or Telegraph. My stable is near the resi- 
dence of W. B. Wickes, and carriages may be ordered by 
telephone to him. Address 



B. GANNETT, SHARON. 



P. S. — Teams furnished from my farm for Moving Furniture, or aii\ 
kind of Jobbing, Excavating or Teaming. 



29 

Timothy O'Leary, 

■' (C) ^ . ^1^ Vi '■ 

CHESTNUT STREET, SHARON, MASS. 

Plumbing, Gas and Pipe Fitting, 

And :vll kinds of work in thnt lint' as well as all kinds of TIJS 
WORK. None bnt experienced workmen employed and all work 
ofuarauteed to give satisfaction. 



I^OI) PIPES 7IDD FITTII]6S, 



And every variety of 



PliimT:er's Brass ^ Work, Pumps, Copper and 
Tin Furnished. 



Agent for the leading Furnaces, Stoves and Heating Apparatus-. 



Also Sewers, Cess-pools, and Cellars built. Avenues, Walk.s 
and Lawns laid out and graded. Teams and men furnished for 
grading. Plowing, excavating and other work. 



30 



W. W, BROOKS. 



DEALER IN FIRST-CLASS 



H 



Di 



^ N_/3 



O* 






.<QJ >i*M,"f 






Vegetables, Fruit, Canned Goods, 

iBiDittCT, Milk, 
^yyV/> .^zz Goo^ns usil^lly keti in .-/ 

WELL SrOCIvE'D MdIRKE'I. 



Supplying Cottagers and Summer 
Residents a Specialty. 

TURNER'S BLOCK, 



sn^i^/Onsr. 



31 

MASSACHUSETTS 

BENEFIT ASSOCIATION 

Tremont Temple, Boston, Mass. 



The Larpst Assessment Association in New Eilanl 



WILLARD MARCY, PRESIDENT. ' 
G, A. LITCHFIELD, Sec'Y. W, G. CORTHELL, Treas 



Read the Record 

(DECEMBER, 1887.) 

18,000 Policies issued. 

Ov.r 13,000 Memhers. 

$64,000 received from each Assessment. 

§200,000 in Re-^erve Fund. 

.5,.')00 ^Members in Boston and vicinity. 

Issues an Absolute Policy for a Definite Amount. 

§2,013,000 paid in Death Losses. 

The largest Assssmeiit Association in New England. 

Gives Policies from §1,000 to $10,000. 

Requires urine examination in every case. 

Policies incontestable after five years. 

Under the new strict .Massachusetts law. 

Death and Expense Funds stiictly separate. 

All Policies paid in full. 



Call or Send for Circulars. 



32 






GENERAL BUSINESS AG ENT, 

CONNECTED BY TELEPHONE. 



EEAL ESTATE SOLD, LEASED AND CARED FOR. 



Farm Houses, Woodland and Unimjproved Froperfy 

For Sale. 

Houses, Furnished and Unfurnished, 

To Let. 

Soapdirpg f^laces ^applied. 

INSURANCE CAREFULLY PLACED. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0014 110711 2 



